I have a problem
I mean, I don’t think I have a problem, but my children and sunroom might tell a different story.
I have always loved plants. I have house plants that are probably 18 years old. I love all of the textures and details of each one of them. I love watching them grow and change and not killing them! Well, I haven’t killed all of them. This one maidenhair fern has been a bugger. Probably doesn’t help to have cats that like to eat plants…
So as I began my image search for the wedding, I kept going back to pictures of receptions with an abundance of potted plants. Not only cut flowers, but plants of all different sizes adorning the tables and seating areas.
Since we had some time, and because I didn’t want everything left at the last minute, I started my wedding preparations with plants. I wanted an abundance, and I wanted them to look more mature than as if I gathered items a week in advance. I have had so much fun with this project. I’ll tell you below a little of what I have gathered and from where. I’m sure there will be more to collect, but those are around me are encouraging me that I have enough. Hahaha
This plant is where my problem began. I went to Martin’s nursery off of Mauldin Rd and found this prolific mother plant. The very helpful nursery worker told me that she was easy to grow and even easier to propagate - she was not wrong. I think I have grown 20 plants from her in maybe 3 months. I haven’t grown more only because I am afraid I have too many! I love the purple underside of her leaves which go perfectly with our wedding colors.
I love everything about her except for her name. Her common name is “Wandering Jew.” To me, that sounds horrible, so I never say it. We now lovingly refer to her as “Wandering Dude.” :)
Let me know if you want one of her babies. I have plenty to go around.
The next grouping of plants are not from a traditional flower nursery. The group of plants on the left are from the half price sections at Lowe’s and Home Depot. The plants on the right are from Trader Joe’s.
Depending on the time of year, TJs has a great selection of inexpensive house plants along with their cut flowers. My hope is to have these a bit larger by June.
Usually there is not much wrong with the half price plants from the big box stores. Sometimes they just need a little bit of TLC and I am happy to oblige. The begonia in the middle picture was leggy and needed to fill in some. I cut off one of her leaves and was able to grow a second plant while encouraging the first plant to bunch up. Win!
Speaking of begonias… I have fallen in love with this plant. I love all of the intricate details of each variety. My new favorites are spiral leaf or “rex begonias.” I found two varieties on Etsy.com and have been very pleased with the outcome of having them shipped as well as them rebounding in the sunroom. One has even started flowering! I love the velvet texture of the green rex (Princess of Hanover) and the almost raincoat like feel of the black rex (Dark Mambo) with the underside a contrasting color of burgundy. So beautiful.
I lied earlier. My first love of propagating plants came from Hannah’s 7th grade biology class. She brought home a leaf from an African Violet and one from a spider plant. They were both beginning to sprout and as a proud mother, I dutifully planted the two and put them in my kitchen window sill. I watered them for years with little result. They grew, but no flowers or extra spider babies. But then I found the wonder of fertilizer and we have been cooking ever since! All of the plants on the left came from Hannah’s one leaf she brought home four years ago. I am currently rooting new five new leaves and hopefully will have plants by June. Jury is still out. But aren’t they so beautiful! And the perfect wedding color… :)
I am by no means a green-thumbed gardener. I kill some by forgetting them and over water others. And don’t forget the plant eating cats. But I have loved this new hobby and am excited to hone my skills as a plant owner. Ask to see them next time you stop by and be ready for a lengthy tour by a very excited tour guide.